Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb
Fantasy as it ought to be written . . . Robin Hobb's books are diamonds in a sea of zircons.--George R. R. Martin Fitz has barely survived his first hazardous mission as king's assassin. Battered and bitter, he vows to abandon his oath to King Shrewd, remaining in the distant mountains. But love and events of terrible urgency draw him back to the court at Buckkeep, and into the deadly intrigues of the royal family. Renewing their vicious attacks on the coast, the Red-Ship Raiders leave burned-out villages and demented victims in their wake. The kingdom is also under assault from within, as treachery threatens the throne of the ailing king. In this time of great danger, the fate of the kingdom may rest in Fitz's hands--and his role in its salvation may require the ultimate sacrifice. Praise for Robin Hobb and Royal Assassin [Robin] Hobb continues to revitalize a genre that often seems all too generic, making it new in ways that range from the subtle to the shocking.--Locus [Royal Assassin] reaches astonishing new heights. . . . The Farseer saga is destined for greatness--a must-read for every devotee of epic fantasy.--Sense of Wonder Editorial Reviews Praise for Robin Hobb and Royal Assassin Fantasy as it ought to be written . . . Robin Hobb's books are diamonds in a sea of zircons.--George R. R. Martin [Robin] Hobb continues to revitalize a genre that often seems all too generic, making it new in ways that range from the subtle to the shocking.--Locus [Royal Assassin] reaches astonishing new heights. . . . The Farseer saga is destined for greatness--a must-read for every devotee of epic fantasy.--Sense of Wonder - From the Publisher Fans of court intrigue will love this book, as will anyone that hungers for a fantasy novel that breaks the traditional mold, and tries to depict the world and its inhabitants in a realistic manner. Action, intrigue, love, and pain, this book has it all. The Farseer Trilogy is well worth reading. - Pixel Planet Continuing in the tradition of her first book (Assassin's Apprentice) Hobb propels the Farseer saga into its second installment with irresistible plotting and memorable characters. Fitz is a trained assassin in the service of King Shrewd and also the king's illegitimate grandson. He is sworn to protect heir to the throne Prince Verity and Verity's new bride, but his task is complicated by an invasion of vicious barbarians who turn helpless captives into zombie-like Forged Ones. The home front is no safer, with an ailing King and usurpers to the throne waiting in the wings. Romance, sibling rivalry, battlefield exploits, betrayal, political intrigue and telepathic magic insure that there's never a dull moment in the Kingdom of the Six Duchies. Through deft description and characterizations, Hobb manages to create a kingdom that looks like a fairy tale but feels like the real world-which makes it almost impossible not to become immersed in Hobb's fantasy epic. The ending clamors for a sequel-and hopefully sooner, than later. (Apr.) - Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly Second entry in Hobb's fantasy series about the Six Duchies and their Farseer kings (Assassin's Apprentice, 1995). At Buckkeep, King Shrewd lies dying, attended only the by the faithful, enigmatic Fool; King in Waiting Verity spends all his time Skilling to befuddle and bemuse the dreaded Red Ship Raiders, while his beautiful, neglected wife, Kettricken, wanders disconsolately. Young FitzChivalry, still ailing after his previous mission, tries to serve both Shrewd and Verity while seeking ways to frustrate the vaulting ambitions of Shrewd's youngest son, the viperous Prince Regal. Shrewd, meantime, has forbidden poor Fitz to marry his beloved Molly, a commoner. Fitz also possesses the Wit, an ability to talk to and empathize with animals, and he bonds with a young wolf he rescues from cruel captivity. Verity builds his own warships, but still can't defeat the Raiders-and the weaker Verity grows, the more the people listen to Regal's treacherous murmurings. Finally, Verity goes into the mountains seeking the Elderlings, a godlike race that helped a previous Farseer king to defeat the Raiders, leaving Fitz to protect Kettricken and Shrewd. Another spellbinding installment, built of patient detail, believable characters, and mature plotting-though, at an unwarranted 608 pages, there are ominous signs that Hobb's beginning to lose control of her narrative. - Kirkus Reviews
Publication Details
Title:
Author(s):
Illustrator:
Binding: Paperback
Published by: Random House Worlds: , 1997
Edition:
ISBN: 9780553573411 | 0553573411
688 pages.
Book Condition: Good
Cover worn
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